Taste Lancashire 2017 Conference Sold Out
Michelin-starred chef, food entrepreneurs, national tourism experts and leading travel blogger complete line-up for sold out Taste Lancashire 2017 Conference
Marketing Lancashire today revealed further speakers for the county’s first ever Taste Lancashire food and drink conference. Taste Lancashire 2017 will bring together food entrepreneurs, retail bosses, agricultural leaders, international trade experts and influencers from the hospitality industry to challenge, inspire and celebrate Lancashire’s food economy with the county’s food & drink sector. Developed in partnership with the Department for International Trade, the innovative sector-focused event will take place on Wednesday 6th September at Holmes Mill, a vibrant food destination inside a former textile mill in Clitheroe.
Michelin-starred Chef Nigel Haworth, chef patron of Northcote, recently named Hotel of the Year 2017 by Visit England and the AA, will join keynote speaker Jay Rayner on a panel exploring the challenges and opportunities facing the UK food and drink industry.
Thom Hetherington, CEO of the Northern Restaurant & Bar Show, Ruth Mason, NFU Chief Food Chain Adviser, Claire Parsons from the Department for International trade based at the British Embassy in Berne, Switzerland and Richard Nicholls, Head of Research and Forecasting, Visit Britain will complete the line-up.
Throughout the day a range of expert panellists will discuss the export opportunities for Lancashire food & drink and the county’s ambition to become a ‘must visit food destination’. James Warburton, owner of James’ Places whose portfolio includes the £10million Holmes Mill development, Zoe Dawes, nationally celebrated travel blogger, Ian Steel of J. Atkinson & Co coffee roasters in Lancaster and Helen Colley, the entrepreneur behind Ribble Valley award-winning business Farmhouse Fare, will share their extensive experience, tips and advice on building, promoting and developing brands.
Paul Williams, the entrepreneurial chocolatier behind International Chocolate Awards winner Choc Amor, based at Cedar Farm in Mawdesley will also present a case study exploring the development of his business and product.
In addition to case studies, expert panels and debates there will be a Taste Exchange producers market, showcasing some of Lancashire’s new and export-interested food businesses.
Ruth Connor, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire says, “Lancashire food and drink is amongst the best in the world, one of the county’s key strengths and an important contributor to the local economy and Lancashire story.
“We’re delighted to be working with the Department for International Trade, Visit Britain’s Food is Great initiative and so many experts, whose support and time is helping champion Lancashire’s food and drink businesses. We all benefit from Lancashire’s increased profile on the world stage; whether that’s the spotlight it places on our quality producers and hospitality offer, our award-wining pubs, restaurants and hotels or, the boost is gives to our annual 67million visitors whose spend contributes over £3.8billion to the local economy, helping create jobs and grow businesses.
“We are incredibly proud of Lancashire’s food and drink businesses and our Taste Lancashire campaign, which includes high profile events such as the Taste Lancashire 2017 conference, aims to showcase the county and further establish Lancashire as a must visit destination for food lovers locally, nationally and internationally.”
Taste Lancashire 2017 is delivered in association with BOOST, Lancashire’s business growth hub and Burnley-based Coolkit, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of fridge van conversions. The event is generously supported by Holmes Mill, part of the James’ Places Group.